SR564: SR564 Georgia Independent College Association; recognize

This is a commemorative resolution passed by the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It honors the Georgia Independent College Association (GICA), which represents Georgia's private, not-for-profit colleges and universities, for its role in higher education and workforce development. The resolution lists reasons for the recognition: GICA's 24 member colleges enroll more than 75,000 students, the association partners with the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia, it advises the General Assembly and Governor's office on education policy, it awarded over $630,000 in scholarships last year, and it supports programs like the HOPE Private Scholarship and the Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant. The Senate directs its Secretary to send a copy of the resolution to GICA as a formal token of appreciation.

• Formally states that the Senate recognizes and commends the Georgia Independent College Association for its contributions to higher education in Georgia.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the association.
• Creates no new law, funding, requirement, or penalty; it is a symbolic statement of appreciation.

The Georgia Independent College Association and its 24 member private colleges and universities are directly named. Students, families, and communities served by those institutions, as well as state agencies like the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia, are referenced in the resolution's praise.

The resolution carries no legal or funding effect and changes nothing about how GICA operates or is funded. Its practical impact is symbolic: a formal, public statement from the Georgia Senate acknowledging the association's role in private higher education.

• The whereas clauses describe GICA's membership (24 colleges, over 75,000 students) and its role advising state government and partnering with public college systems.
• The whereas clauses cite GICA's scholarship funding (over $630,000 last year) and advocacy for the HOPE Private Scholarship and Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant.
• The resolved clause has the Senate recognize and commend GICA for its contributions to higher education.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to GICA.

1. 2026-01-14Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-01-13Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Max Burns (R, SD-023)Primary sponsor
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Greg Dolezal (R, SD-027)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Jason T. Dickerson (R, SD-021)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)

• higher education
• private colleges
• Georgia Senate resolution
• scholarships